Process for producing high grade hydromagnesite and magnesium oxide

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a process for producing high purity hydromagnesite from a source of magnesium chloride. The process involves preparation of a magnesium chloride brine of a specific concentration and reacting with sodium carbonate, while maintaining the reaction at a specific temperature range to form a hydromagnesite precipitate. The product can be calcined to generate high purity magnesium oxide compounds.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to preparing high purity hydromagnesiteand magnesium oxide, particularly, from a brine solution comprisingmagnesium chloride and calcium chloride

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Magnesium oxide and hydromagnesite compounds have many uses and find wayinto a number of products. Magnesium oxide (MgO) is commonly used inrefractory, agricultural, chemical, construction, environmental, andother industrial applications. MgO is used as an insulator in industrialcables, as a basic refractory material for crucibles and as a principalfireproofing ingredient in construction materials. It is used as areference white color in colorimetry, owing to its good diffusing andreflectivity properties. It is used extensively in heating as acomponent of tubular construction heating elements. The extensive use isdue to its high dielectric strength and average thermal conductivity.MgO doping has been shown to effectively inhibit grain growth inceramics and improve their fracture toughness by transforming themechanism of crack growth at nanoscale

In medicine, magnesium oxide is used as an antacid, magnesiumsupplement, and as a short-term laxative. It is also used to improvesymptoms of indigestion. U.S Publication No. 20130059151 discloses useof magnesium oxide for pharmaceutical use wherein magnesium oxide whenmixed with a drug that is unstable in acid, demonstrates highstabilizing effects on the drug while also demonstrating superiorstability of the magnesium oxide per se.

Hydromagnesite is used in the paper, rubber and plastics industries forvarious purposes such as coatings, fillers, extenders and pigments forpapermaking as well as flame-retardants in electrical wires and cablesbut also to impart resistance to chemicals in fibers. For example, EP 0543 262, EP 0 393 813, JP 21 50 436, JP 22 55 843, JP 51 70 984, JP 5098 085 and KR 2003/0040953 describe flame-retardant compositionscomprising hydromagnesite in admixture with other magnesium compoundssuch as huntite, dolomite and/or magnesium hydroxide.

Hydromagnesite in combination with other magnesium compounds is used inthe paper industries in order to impart printability, a high brightnessat high opacity but also suitable smoothness and gloss to paper productssuch as magazines. In this respect, JP 2003/293291 describes coatedpaper produced by disposing an adhesive and a coating layer consistingmainly of at least one of huntite and hydromagnesite on base paper,wherein the resulting coated paper has high brightness, a highsurface-masking effect and excellent printing suitability.

For these compounds, it is important to have a high yield, high purityand superior brightness to enable use in a multitude of industries at alower cost than existing compounds. In one particular instance, if thequality of the hydromagnesite is high enough, it can be used to replaceexpensive pigments like titanium oxide.

European application 1984300 discloses a process for preparation ofmagnesium oxide from the reaction of magnesium salt and alkali/lime. Thecrude Mg(OH)₂ is directly calcined and then treated with water todisintegrate the mass spontaneously to yield a slurry and dissolve awaythe soluble salts.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,375 discloses a process for preparing magnesiumoxide by calcining a magnesium ore to obtain magnesium oxide andthereafter leaching at least some of the magnesium oxide with ammoniumchloride solution in a recovery stage in order to obtain ammonia andmagnesium chloride in solution. Thereafter, the magnesium chloridesolution is treated in a precipitation stage in order to precipitatemagnesium carbonate trihydrate from the solution while forming ammoniumchloride for delivery to the recovery stage and the obtained magnesiumcarbonate trihydrate is filtered, washed, dried and calcined in order toobtain magnesium oxide of high purity.

Besides the natural hydromagnesite, synthetic hydromagnesite (orprecipitated magnesium carbonates) can be prepared. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 1,361,324, U.S. Pat. No. 935,418, GB 548,197 and GB 544,907generally describe the formation of aqueous solutions of magnesiumbicarbonate (typically described as “Mg(HCO₃)₂”), which is thentransformed by the action of a base, e.g., magnesium hydroxide, to formhydromagnesite.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,461 discloses a process to prepare compositionscontaining both, hydromagnesite and magnesium hydroxide, whereinmagnesium hydroxide is mixed with water to form a suspension which isfurther contacted with carbon dioxide and an aqueous basic solution toform the corresponding mixture.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,551,428 discloses a process of preparing hydromagnesite,which comprises a) providing at least one magnesium oxide source, suchas magnesium oxide, magnesite, dolomite, huntite, magnesium carbonate,magnesium hydroxide, brucite and mixtures thereof; b) providing gaseousCO₂ and/or carbonate-comprising anions; c) slaking of said magnesiumoxide source of step a) to convert the magnesium oxide at leastpartially into magnesium hydroxide; d) contacting the obtained magnesiumhydroxide of step c) with said gaseous CO₂ and/or carbonate-comprisinganions of step b) to convert the magnesium hydroxide at least partiallyinto precipitated nesquehonite; and e) treating the obtainedprecipitated nesquehonite of step d) in a heat-ageing step.

There is still a need in the art for providing alternative processes forpreparing high quality hydromagnesite and magnesium oxide with highlevels of purity and brightness. The greater the purity of the magnesiumproducts, the higher the value and suitability for various industrieswhich require very high purity chemicals, such as pharmaceuticalindustry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved processand method for producing high purity hydromagnesite and/or magnesiumoxide compounds.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provideda process for preparing hydromagnesite from a source of magnesiumchloride, comprising: preparing a feedstock of magnesium chloride brinesolution from said source of magnesium chloride, wherein said feedstockbrine solution also comprises calcium chloride; mixing a sulfate saltinto said feedstock brine solution to convert said calcium chloride intoa calcium sulfate precipitate; removing said calcium sulfate precipitatefrom said brine solution; and mixing said brine solution produced instep c) with sodium carbonate, while maintaining the temperature atabout 20° C. to 120° C. to form a hydromagnesite precipitate.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a process for preparing hydromagnesite from a source ofmagnesium chloride, comprising: preparing a magnesium chloride brinesolution from said source of magnesium chloride, wherein theconcentration of said brine solution is up to about 35% by weight ofmagnesium chloride, mixing said brine solution with sodium carbonatewhile maintaining the temperature at about 20° C. to about 120° C. toform a hydromagnesite precipitate.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a process for preparing a magnesium oxide product, comprisingcalcining the dried hydromagnesite precipitate obtained according to theprocess of the present invention to form the magnesium oxide product.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a hydromagnesite product formed in accordance with the processdefined in the present invention.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a magnesium oxide product formed in accordance with the processdefined in the present invention.

It has been found that by observing certain temperatures together withstirring and settling times that high quality products can besynthesized.

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now bemade to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 depicts a simplified flow-chart illustrating an embodiment of theprocess according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shown the XRD analysis for the hydromagnesite product obtained byan embodiment of the process of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention pertains. The term “Hydromagnesite”refers to magnesium carbonate with the chemical formulaMg₅(CO₃)₄(OH)₂.4H₂O.

The term “precipitation” refers to the formation of a solid material ina solution during a chemical reaction.

A “suspension” or “slurry” comprises insoluble solids and water andoptionally further additives and usually contains large amounts ofsolids and, thus, is more viscous and generally of higher density thanthe liquid from which it is formed.

The term “calcining” refers to a thermal treatment process applied tosolid materials causing loss of moisture, reduction or oxidation, andthe decomposition of carbonates and other compounds resulting in anoxide of the corresponding solid material.

As used herein, the term “about” refers to a +/−10% variation from thenominal value. It is to be understood that such a variation is alwaysincluded in a given value provided herein, whether or not it isspecifically referred to.

The present invention provides a process of preparing high purityhydromagnesite and magnesium oxide. The process of the present inventionallows for the efficient and controlled production of hydromagnesite ofa very high purity. According to the process of the present inventionhydromagnesite having a purity of at least 99%, and varying particlesizes can be provided or prepared directly.

In one embodiment, the process of the present invention involves thepreparation of a magnesium chloride brine solution from at least onesource of magnesium chloride, and mixing the brine solution with sodiumcarbonate at a concentration and a temperature sufficient to form ahydromagnesite precipitate.

In accordance with the present invention, the magnesium chloride sourcecan be provided in the form of magnesium chloride salt. It can also beprovided in the form of a source of carnallite, a source of sylvinite,or any other mineral which can be processed to provide magnesiumchloride. In one embodiment the source of magnesium chloride comprises amagnesium chloride brine solution obtained from evaporation of a brinesolution obtained by dissolving a source of carnallite in water.

The magnesium chloride brine (as a source of magnesium chloride) can bea byproduct of other processes, for example, a process of obtainingpotassium chloride from a source of carnallite as described in U.S. Pat.No. 8,282,898, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

The concentration of the brine solution before mixing with sodiumcarbonate can be up to 35% by weight of magnesium chloride. In oneembodiment, the concentration of the brine solution before addition ofsodium carbonate is from about 10% to 20% by weight of magnesiumchloride, preferably from about 15% by weight.

The sodium carbonate can be added as a solution by weight in water. Inone embodiment, sodium carbonate is added as up to about 35% solution byweight in water, preferably about 5% to 15% solution by weight, morepreferably about 10% solution by weight.

In one embodiment, the reaction temperature during mixing of sodiumcarbonate with the magnesium chloride brine is maintained at about 20°C. to about 120° C., preferably about 50° C. to about 100° C., morepreferably about 60° C. to about 90° C., most preferably about 80° C.,to form a hydromagnesite precipitate.

In one embodiment, the feedstock magnesium chloride brine solution alsocomprises calcium chloride. In one embodiment, for example when thefeedstock brine solution is formed by dissolving from a magnesiumchloride source which comprises calcium chloride impurities in water.Such a feedstock can comprise from about 15% to about 40% by weightmagnesium chloride in water, preferably from about 25% to 35%. In oneembodiment, the feedstock brine solution contains about 35% magnesiumchloride.

In one embodiment, when calcium chloride is present, the feedstockmagnesium chloride brine can comprise calcium chloride up to about 5% byweight. In one embodiment, the feed stock magnesium chloride brinecomprises calcium chloride in the range of about 1.6% to about 2.0% byweight.

In one embodiment, the feedstock magnesium chloride brine alsocomprising calcium chloride is mixed with a sulfate salt. This mixingstep results in the conversion of calcium chloride component of thefeedstock brine into calcium sulfate precipitate (gypsum), which isremoved from the remaining brine solution. In one embodiment, the mixingof the sulfate salt is carried out at a temperature of about 50° C. toabout 100° C., preferably about 60° C. to about 90° C., more preferablyabout 80° C.

The sulfate salt can be magnesium sulfate or sodium sulfate, which canbe added as a solid or as a concentrated solution in water. In oneembodiment, the sulfate salt is magnesium sulfate septahydrate. In oneembodiment, the calcium chloride impurities can be removed by addingapproximately between 60 and 100 grams of magnesium sulfate per liter ofbrine.

In one embodiment, the brine solution remaining after the removal ofcalcium sulfate has a calcium chloride component of less than about 0.2%by weight, preferably less than about 0.1% by weight.

The remaining brine solution obtained after removal of calcium sulfateprecipitate is then mixed with sodium carbonate to form a hydromagnesiteprecipitate, and sodium chloride which readily dissolves in water. Thetemperature of the reaction mixture is generally maintained in a rangeof about 20° C. to about 120° C., preferably about 50° C. to about 100°C., more preferably about 60° C. to about 90° C., and further morepreferably about 80° C.

In one embodiment, the brine solution obtained after removal of calciumsulfate is heated at a temperature of about 50° C. to 100° C.,preferably about 60° C. to about 90° C., more preferably about 80° C.,before addition of sodium carbonate.

In one embodiment, the concentration of the remaining brine solution isadjusted to be about 10% to 20%, preferably about 15% by weight ofmagnesium chloride, before mixing with sodium carbonate. Sodiumcarbonate can be added as a solution in water. In one embodiment, sodiumcarbonate is added as an about 5% to about 15%, preferably about 10%solution by weight in water.

In one embodiment, the brine solution obtained from the magnesiumchloride source can further comprise other water soluble impurities. Insuch a case, the process of the present invention further comprises thestep of washing the hydromagnesite precipitate to remove the watersoluble impurities. In one embodiment, the water soluble impuritiescomprise unreacted magnesium chloride, sodium chloride and/or potassiumchloride. In one embodiment, sodium chloride and/or potassium chlorideis present in an amount up to about 3% by weight. In one embodiment,sodium chloride is present in an amount about 2.0% to about 2.5% byweight. In one embodiment, potassium chloride is present in an amount ofabout 2.5% to about 3.0% by weight.

In one embodiment, the washing step further includes forming a slurrywith the hydromagnesite precipitate in water and separating theprecipitates via sold/liquid separation. The formation of slurry isconducted at a temperature of about 50° C. to 100° C. The washedhydromagnesite precipitate is then dried to form a dried hydromagnesiteprecipitate. The drying step is carried out at a temperature of about100° C. to about 150° C., preferably about 110° C. to about 130° C.,more preferably about 115° C.

Washing steps are carried out to removes residual potassium chloride &sodium chloride from initial brine, and sodium chloride formed duringthe reaction of ammonium chloride with sodium carbonate, from thehydromagnesite precipitate.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the process in accordance with thepresent invention, wherein a feedstock brine solution comprisingmagnesium chloride and calcium chloride, and optionally sodium chlorideand potassium chloride is provided in a reactor. In one embodiment, inthe feedstock brine solution, magnesium chloride is present in aconcentration of about 27% to 34% and the calcium chloride is present ina concentration of about 1.6% to 2.0%. The sodium chloride concentrationcan be up to about 2.5% and the potassium chloride can be up to about2.7%, all percentages being by weight.

Magnesium sulfate septahydrate is then added to the magnesium chloridebrine solution in the reactor. The temperature of the mixture ismaintained from about 50° C. to about 100° C., preferably about 60° C.to about 90° C., more preferably about 80° C. This mixing step resultsin the conversion of calcium chloride component of the magnesiumchloride brine into calcium sulfate precipitates (gypsum). This mixtureis stirred for up to 1 hr to effect the reaction. The calcium sulfate isthen separated from the mother liquor via solid/liquid separation.

The remaining magnesium chloride brine is diluted to about 10% to about20% by weight and subsequently heated at a temperature of about 50° C.to 100° C., preferably about 80° C. to about 100° C., more preferablyabout 80° C. At this point, about 5-15% solution of sodium carbonate isadded to the diluted magnesium chloride brine with stirring beingcontinuous and the addition of the sodium carbonate solution slowlyadded over the course of approximately up to 2 hours while the temperateis maintained within the range of about 50° C. to 100° C., preferablyabout 80° C. to about 100° C., more preferably about 80° C.

During this process, at least 90 to 100% of the stoichiometricallyrequired sodium carbonate is used in the reaction. The mixture isretained in the mixing vessel for approximately 2 hours. Stirring isthen ceased and the solid precipitate is allowed to settle toapproximately one-third of the original volume. At least some of theliquid is then decanted from the reaction vessel and the remainingliquid is then filtered.

The washed cake is then re-slurried to approximately 50% of the density,and subsequently centrifuged. The re-slurrying operation is conducted atabout 50° C. to 100° C., preferably about 80° C. The centrifuged productis then dried and transported for bagging. The product is dried at atemperature from about 100° C. to about 150° C. to produce a greaterthan 99% pure hydromagnesite.

The mixing of sodium carbonate with the brine solution can be done in abatch process or a continuous process.

The desired particle size and purity of hydromagnesite being obtained bythe process of the present invention can be achieved and improved byspecifically controlling and/or adjusting the process conditions duringthe preparation of the hydromagnesite.

Conveniently, the process of the present invention does not requireextensive manipulation attributed to the processes used in the priorart; in the instant protocol, solubilities are conveniently manipulatedto synthesize magnesium chloride brines which are diluted withprogressive precipitation of unwanted compounds. This progressiveprecipitation results in very effective removal of calcium contaminationfrom the magnesium chloride brine and hydromagnesite which iscontributory to the remarkable purity achievable by practicing thetechnology of the instant invention.

The process of the present invention can result in hydromagnesite havingparticle size in the range of 3 to 100 microns. The temperature,residence time, rate of addition of Na₂CO₃ addition etc. is adjusted toprecipitate as large of a particle size as possible (for example 20-50)microns. This particle size allows efficient settling, and increasedability to filter the particles from the mother liquor efficiently. Thisalso allows for thorough cake washing with water to completely removeall of the soluble impurities. The wet cake contains much less waterthan a filter cake of a smaller particle size, and is efficiently dried.Large concrete like lumps are not formed with this larger particle size,any small lumps are friable and turn into a free flowing powder whentouched.

The large particles are actually composed of agglomerations of 2-3micron hydromagnesite particles. Dry milling and size classifying easilybreaks these agglomerations down to the desired sizes used in pigments,fillers, etc. The product does not have to be shipped as liquid slurry,dramatically cutting shipping costs, and process issues.

The removal of the impurities such as calcium, sodium, potassium, etc.,with the process of the present invention results in an extremely highpurity product. As a result of this purity, brightness is increasedsignificantly to 100.2 TAPPI, with almost no yellowness (no bleachingstep is required). This brightness typically exceeds hi-grade pigmentTiO₂. Replacing a portion of TiO₂ with this hydromagnesite actuallyincreases the brightness overall, rather than the significant decreasefound when using other fillers.

The very high purity of the hydromagnesite obtained via the process ofthe present invention (i.e. over 99%) makes the hydromagnesite an idealfeedstock for producing hi-grade magnesium oxide/magnesia (MgO), whichin turn can be used as a feedstock for producing Mg(OH)₂ with theaddition of water.

In one embodiment, the process of the present invention thereforefurther includes calcining the dried hydromagnesite precipitate obtainedaccording to the process of the present invention to form a magnesiumoxide product.

In one embodiment, the calcining of hydromagnesite precipitate iscarried out at a temperature of about 475° C. to about 1000° C. In oneembodiment, the calcining of hydromagnesite precipitate is carried outat a temperature of about 1000° C. to about 1500° C. In one embodiment,the calcining of hydromagnesite precipitate is carried out at atemperature of about 1500° C. to about 2800° C. In one embodiment, thecalcining of hydromagnesite precipitate is carried out at a temperatureover 2800° C.

As an option, depending upon the final use of the product, thehydromagnesite obtained via the process discussed above is calcined at apredetermined temperature to produce a host of magnesium oxide products.The calcination in the temperature ranges of about 475° C. to about1000° C. produces “Reactive Magnesia”. The calcination in thetemperature ranges of about 1000° C. to about 1500° C. produces “HardBurned Magnesia”. The calcination in the temperature ranges of about1500° C. to about 2800° C. produces “Dead Burned Magnesia”, and thecalcination over 2800° C. produces “Fused Magnesia”.

The invention will now be described with reference to specific examples.It will be understood that the following examples are intended todescribe embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit theinvention in any way.

EXAMPLES Example 1

One liter of feedstock brine solution comprising 27% to 35% magnesiumchloride, 1.6% to 2.0%, calcium chloride, 1.0% to 2.5% sodium chloride,and 1% to 2.7%, potassium chloride was provided in a reactor/vessel.Magnesium sulfate septahydrate was added to the feed stock magnesiumchloride brine solution in an approximately 1:1 stoichiometric ratiorelative to calcium chloride. The temperature of the mixture wasmaintained at about 80° C. The resulting calcium sulfate precipitate wasremoved via the solid/liquid separation.

The resulting magnesium chloride brine was diluted to about 15% byweight and subsequently heated at a temperature of about 80° C. At thispoint, an about 10% solution of sodium carbonate was added to thediluted brine solution, over the course of approximately up to 2 hourswith stirring being continuous and while the temperature was maintainedat about 80° C. to form the hydromagnesite precipitate.

The mixture was retained in the mixing vessel for approximately 2 hoursafter ceasing the stirring. The solid precipitate was allowed to settleto approximately one-third of the original volume and at least some ofthe liquid was then decanted from the reaction vessel.

The hydromagnesite precipitate was filtered and re-slurried toapproximately 50% of the density, and subsequently centrifuged. There-slurrying was conducted at about 80° C. The centrifuged product wasthen dried in at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 150° C. toproduce a greater than 99% pure hydromagnesite

The reaction was also conducted starting from 5, liters, 10 liters and15 liters of feedstock brine solution.

The hydromagnesite obtained via the process discussed above was calcinedat about 600° C. to about 1000° C. produce magnesium oxide product ofdifferent grades having a purity of greater than 99%.

Analytical Tests:

Purity of the products was determined by ICP-OES and ICP-MS analysis.This confirmed the level of impurities in the final product as well asthe ratio of magnesium to sample weight.

The determination of hydromagnesite vs other magnesium compounds wasdetermined by XRD analysis. This confirmed that the product washydromagnesite and had the proper amount of waters of hydration. Asshown in FIG. 2, the X-ray diffraction analysis of the tested sampleshows the crystalline components of the sample consist of about 100% ofthe hydromagnesite.

Thermo Gravimetric Analysis was performed in order to determine thetemperatures where the BMC would begin to decompose, and when waters ofhydration were lost. Calcination temperatures were also determined usingthis test.

Differential thermal analysis was also performed using aluminum oxide asa reference in order to gain further information for the dryer.

Scanning electron microscope pictures and analysis determined theparticle sizes and shapes and confirmed the crystal form and ability tomill into pigment sizes.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the numericalrepresentations noted herein are exemplary.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of Embodiments of theInvention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; thecitation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that itis prior art with respect to the present invention.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it isnot limited thereto and it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat numerous modifications form part of the present invention insofaras they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimedand described invention.

1. A method of preparing hydromagnesite from a source of magnesiumchloride, comprising: a) preparing a feedstock brine solution from saidsource of magnesium chloride, wherein said feedstock brine solutioncomprises magnesium chloride and calcium chloride; b) mixing a sulfatesalt into said feedstock brine solution to convert said calcium chlorideinto a calcium sulfate precipitate; c) removing said calcium sulfateprecipitate from said feedstock brine solution; and d) mixing said brinesolution produced in step c) with sodium carbonate, while maintainingthe temperature at about 20° C. to about 120° C. to form ahydromagnesite precipitate.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein saidfeedstock brine solution has a specific gravity from about 1.2 to about1.35.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said feedstock brine solutioncontains from about 20% to about 35% by weight magnesium chloride inwater.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting amagnesium chloride concentration of said brine solution to be in a rangeof about 10% to about 20% by weight magnesium chloride in water, afterremoving calcium sulfate.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said sodiumcarbonate is added as a solution of about 5% to about 15% by weight inwater.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said sulfate salt is magnesiumsulfate or sodium sulfate and is provided as a solid or a concentratedsolution in water.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said mixing of saidsulfate salt is carried out at a temperature of about 50° C. to about100° C.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said brine solution furthercomprises water soluble impurities, said method further comprising thestep of washing said hydromagnesite precipitate to remove said watersoluble impurities.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said water solubleimpurities comprise a least one of unreacted magnesium chloride, sodiumchloride and potassium chloride.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein saidstep of washing includes the step of re-slurrying said hydromagnesiteprecipitate to an about 50% slurry in water.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein said step of re-slurrying is carried out at a temperature ofbetween about 50° C. and about 100° C.
 12. The method of claim 8,further comprising the step of drying said hydromagnesite precipitateafter washing to produce a dried hydromagnesite precipitate.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein said step of drying is carried out at atemperature of about 100° C. to about 150° C.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein said hydromagnesite precipitate has a purity of at leastabout 99%.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said hydromagnesiteprecipitate comprises particles having an average particle size fromabout 20 microns to about 50 microns.
 16. A method of preparing amagnesium oxide product, comprising: a) preparing a feedstock brinesolution from a source of magnesium chloride, the feedstock brinesolution comprising magnesium chloride and calcium chloride; b) mixing asulfate salt into said feedstock to convert said calcium chloride into acalcium sulfate precipitate; c) removing said calcium sulfateprecipitate from said feedstock to form a brine solution comprisingwater soluble impurities; d) mixing said brine solution produced in stepc) with sodium carbonate, while maintaining the temperature at about 20°C. to 120° C. to form a hydromagnesite precipitate; e) washing saidhydromagnesite precipitate to remove said water soluble impurities; f)drying said hydromagnesite precipitate after washing to produce a driedhydromagnesite precipitate, wherein said step of drying is carried outat a temperature of about 100° C. to about 150° C.; and g) calcining thedried hydromagnesite precipitate obtained to form said magnesium oxideproduct.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said calcining ofhydromagnesite precipitate is carried out at a temperature of about 475°C. to about 2800° C.
 18. A hydromagnesite product, said hydromagnesiteproduct formed using a method comprising the steps of: a) preparing afeedstock brine solution from a source of magnesium chloride, thefeedstock brine solution comprising a magnesium chloride and calciumchloride; b) mixing a sulfate salt into said feedstock brine solution toconvert said calcium chloride into a calcium sulfate precipitate; c)removing said calcium sulfate precipitate from said feedstock brine toform a brine solution comprising water soluble impurities; d) mixingsaid brine solution produced in step c) with sodium carbonate, whilemaintaining the temperature at about 20° C. to 120° C. to form ahydromagnesite precipitate; e) washing said hydromagnesite precipitateto remove said water soluble impurities; and f) drying saidhydromagnesite precipitate after washing to produce a driedhydromagnesite precipitate, wherein said step of drying is carried outat a temperature of about 100° C. to about 150° C.
 19. A magnesium oxideproduct, said magnesium oxide product formed using a method comprisingthe steps of: a) preparing a feedstock brine solution from a source ofmagnesium chloride, said feedstock brine solution comprising magnesiumchloride and calcium chloride; b) mixing a sulfate salt into saidfeedstock to convert said calcium chloride into a calcium sulfateprecipitate; c) removing said calcium sulfate precipitate from saidfeedstock to form a brine solution comprising water soluble impurities;d) mixing said brine solution produced in step c) with sodium carbonate,while maintaining the temperature at about 20° C. to 120° C. to form ahydromagnesite precipitate; e) washing said hydromagnesite precipitateto remove said water soluble impurities; f) drying said hydromagnesiteprecipitate after washing to produce a dried hydromagnesite precipitate,wherein said step of drying is carried out at a temperature of about100° C. to about 150° C.; and g) calcining the dried hydromagnesiteprecipitate obtained to form said magnesium oxide product.
 20. A methodof preparing hydromagnesite from a source of magnesium chloride,comprising: a) preparing a magnesium chloride brine solution from saidsource of magnesium chloride, wherein the concentration of saidmagnesium chloride brine solution is up to about 35% by weight ofmagnesium chloride, and b) mixing said magnesium chloride brine solutionwith sodium carbonate while maintaining the temperature at about 20° C.to about 120° C. to form a hydromagnesite precipitate.
 21. The method ofclaim 20, wherein a concentration of said magnesium chloride brinesolution is about 10% to about 20% by weight of magnesium chloride. 22.The method of claim 20, wherein said sodium carbonate is added as asolution of about 5% to about 15% solution by weight in water.
 23. Themethod of claim 20, wherein said magnesium chloride brine solutionfurther comprises calcium chloride.
 24. The method of claim 20, whereinstep a) comprises: i) dissolving the source of magnesium chloride inwater to form a feedstock magnesium chloride brine solution; ii) mixinga sulfate salt to said feedstock magnesium chloride brine solution toform a calcium sulfate precipitate; and iii) removing said calciumsulfate precipitate from a remaining amount of the magnesium chloridebrine solution.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the stepof adjusting the concentration of the remaining amount of the magnesiumchloride brine solution after the removal of calcium sulfate to about10% to about 20% by weight of magnesium chloride.
 26. The method ofclaim 22, wherein said magnesium chloride brine solution furthercomprises water soluble impurities, said method further comprising thestep of washing said hydromagnesite precipitate to remove said watersoluble impurities.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein said watersoluble impurities comprise at least one of unreacted magnesiumchloride, sodium chloride and potassium chloride.
 28. The method ofclaim 27, further comprising the step of drying said hydromagnesiteafter washing to produce a dried hydromagnesite precipitate.
 29. Themethod of claim 24, wherein said magnesium chloride brine solutionfurther comprises water soluble impurities, said method furthercomprising the step of washing said hydromagnesite precipitate to removesaid water soluble impurities.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein saidwater soluble impurities comprise at least one of unreacted magnesiumchloride, sodium chloride and potassium chloride.
 31. The method ofclaim 30, further comprising the step of drying said hydromagnesiteafter washing to produce a dried hydromagnesite precipitate.
 32. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising the step of forming ahydromagnesite product.
 33. The method of claim 16, further comprisingthe step of forming the magnesium oxide product.